Need Opinions: Framus Cobra vs Bogner Uberschall?

[MatrixClaw]

Ok, I got to play an Uberschall Rev Blue today and I really liked it, but I've been wanting a Cobra for quite a while...

For those of you who have played/owned both of these (Rev Blue Uber and Rev 5 Cobra), which one did you like better, and why? The closest Framus dealer to me is a 3 hour drive, so unfortunately, I won't be able to try it out before I buy it. From clips I've heard, I absolutely love it, more so than clips I've heard of the Uber, but I realize that live, things can obviously sound different.

I can get a Cobra quite cheap right now, but I'm really wondering if you all think the Uber is worth the extra $500+ over the Cobra? I'm mainly looking for a tight modern metal sound, something that is very defined and not muddy, really the more definition the better, I don't care if it "shows your mistakes," that only makes you a better player. A big lowend but very cutting in a band mix and lots of saturation would also be nice.

I've heard the Cobras aren't very good with anything but VHT cabs or its matching Framus cab... well I have a Cobra 4x12 cab that I've been holding on to for a while in hope that I'd some day have one to try it through I also have a Mesa OS 4x12, if that makes a difference.


I think the Cobra might be a little more versatile, which is definitely a plus, but I have other amps for different genres, so I really just need something that is absolutely crushing in the metal department.

 

[Les Zombie]

I'm gonna be honest, from what your saying I think the cobra will make you happier than the uber, I owned 3 cobras and 4 ubers. I personally love the tone of a boosted uber over the cobra but if you want a tight amp then I will say the cobra is one of the tightest around.
The cobra also is more versatile because it has a excellent clean channel, the voicing of the 2 amps is different and so is the feel.
Cobra is tighter, the uber has more sag but sounds bigger to me.
Cobra and uber both have plenty of gain but the uber gain is more smooth and saturated.
Most people I know like one or the other, a few of my friends love the cobra and hate the uber and a few love the uber and hate the cobra. I like both but when I had to decide which to keep I decided I wanted my uber more than the cobra, I really like the bogner tone alot and as long as I play guitar I wanna have a uber.

 

[Mailman1971]

Never owned the Bogner....but owned the Cobra for a while.
You will be pressed to find a MORE BRUTAL AMP that is SUPER TIGHT!
Great clean channel on it as well.
I liked it with the Midcut shut off. Sounded really good.
But thats only my 2cents on the Mighty Cobra.

 

[diezelduder]

i never liked the sound of the cobra, maybe i'm crazy, the bogner, seems more awesome fantastic, 2 pennies

yay

 

[TeleBlaster]

Absolutely crushing metal tone, and you're in AZ?

Stop by the Krank plant and demo a Rev Plus.

 

[MatrixClaw]

I'm gonna be honest, from what your saying I think the cobra will make you happier than the uber, I owned 3 cobras and 4 ubers. I personally love the tone of a boosted uber over the cobra but if you want a tight amp then I will say the cobra is one of the tightest around.
The cobra also is more versatile because it has a excellent clean channel, the voicing of the 2 amps is different and so is the feel.
Cobra is tighter, the uber has more sag but sounds bigger to me.
Cobra and uber both have plenty of gain but the uber gain is more smooth and saturated.
Most people I know like one or the other, a few of my friends love the cobra and hate the uber and a few love the uber and hate the cobra. I like both but when I had to decide which to keep I decided I wanted my uber more than the cobra, I really like the bogner tone alot and as long as I play guitar I wanna have a uber.

I really like the Uberschall but maybe I'm insane, but it sounds really similar to my Peavey Ultra Like... a more refined version, but similar none-the-less. I dunno, I'll have to A/B them when I get a chance.

I've heard the Cobra described as a modded Recto a few times. Would you say that's correct? I love the Recto tone... I just can't deal with the loose lowend. I think in the end I might end up buying a 2 Channel just to keep me happy in that department, as I've heard they're much tighter. I haven't played one in years, so I can't really remember.

The only thing holding me back is I've heard that the Cobra can also be pretty dry. Now, I don't mind a little dryness in some amps, I've liked a lot of VHTs I've tried and going off them, I thought I'd love the Ultralead. I was wrong. It was nice sounding amp, super saturated and sounded really heavy with barely any gain, but it was just sterile and boring sounding to me

I've always gravitated towards a more smooth sound, but lately I've just wanted definition, tightness and aggressiveness. No idea why!

Absolutely crushing metal tone, and you're in AZ?

Stop by the Krank plant and demo a Rev Plus.

Buddy of mine has one on the way. I remember liking the original Rev, but just not really my thing in the end. Maybe the Rev+ sounds better with those 6550s?

 

[motogrinder]

Where can you buy a new cobra in the united states? Iv'e been looking and cant find anyone who has em?

 

[Mailman1971]

I know you wrote......."I've always gravitated towards a more smooth sound, but lately I've just wanted definition, tightness and aggressiveness. No idea why!"

The Cobra is as Defined and tight and Aggressive as a MUTHA!!
If this is what your looking for.....that is your answer.

 

[SuperFlyinMonke]

Ever looked into Peters Amplification? You'd be very happy with a Hydra.

 

[Marshall Law]

here is a bogner in action

 

[smucarolina]

pm me if you want a review of the cobra. i prefer it.

 

[JohnnyC]

the cobra isnt a versatile amp at all. everything about it is catered for metal.
even the cleans are metal (think tight pristine/crystal clear huge headroom type cleans)

if modern tight percussive metal is what youre about...the cobra shall deliver.
the crunch channel with greenbacks is pretty much its "signature" sound...the lead channel is good with V30s and boosted.

dont rule out the framus Dragon either...If i had to choose again...i wouldve picked the Dragon over the cobra.
but then again...im happy with my 30W framus...much more musical IMO

also...do you plan on using the amps fx loop?
the framus fx loop is 0db line level and also parellel...so be wary if you dont have rack gear or fx with line level options AND kill/dry functions. (ie the only stompbox ive gotten to play well with the cobras loop is the eventide timefactor)

 

[MatrixClaw]

Where can you buy a new cobra in the united states? Iv'e been looking and cant find anyone who has em?

rebelamps.com

I know you wrote......."I've always gravitated towards a more smooth sound, but lately I've just wanted definition, tightness and aggressiveness. No idea why!"

The Cobra is as Defined and tight and Aggressive as a MUTHA!!
If this is what your looking for.....that is your answer.

Yeah, I think I owe it to myself to at least try it, I have the cab which doesn't get used much anymore, so I figure if I decide I don't like it, I can get rid of both.

Ever looked into Peters Amplification? You'd be very happy with a Hydra.

I've looked into them before. The clips I've heard sounds awesome, but they're not very common on the used market, and I'd rather not buy new, seeing as I'm sure I'd want to try something else a few months later... and then I'd lose money on it Same with Titan. There were a few for sale a few months back on Harmony Central and I've been kicking myself for not buying one because they were CHEAP, I haven't seen another one since

here is a bogner in action

I know what it sounds like... I actually have the one I spoke of in the other room. It's mine for a few days before I have to give it to the real owner

I'm going to do some more testing of it tomorrow to really make a decision, but I think right now I'm leaning towards the Cobra, mainly because of the price and the fact that I already have the Cobra 4x12 cab... If I get it and don't like it, I can sell both and an Uber will be a little easier on the wallet haha.

the cobra isnt a versatile amp at all. everything about it is catered for metal.
even the cleans are metal (think tight pristine/crystal clear huge headroom type cleans)

if modern tight percussive metal is what youre about...the cobra shall deliver.
the crunch channel with greenbacks is pretty much its "signature" sound...the lead channel is good with V30s and boosted.

dont rule out the framus Dragon either...If i had to choose again...i wouldve picked the Dragon over the cobra.
but then again...im happy with my 30W framus...much more musical IMO

also...do you plan on using the amps fx loop?
the framus fx loop is 0db line level and also parellel...so be wary if you dont have rack gear or fx with line level options AND kill/dry functions. (ie the only stompbox ive gotten to play well with the cobras loop is the eventide timefactor)

Yeah, I mean like I said, I don't really mind if it's not versatile. I have other amps for that, not that I really play anything else than metal besides just fiddling around. From your description, those cleans are my kind of cleans haha. I've always heard clips and they sound pretty ridiculous for a metal amp, I like those bright chimey cleans and it sounds like the Cobra would deliver.

The Dragon's definitely one I've considered, but the price I'd be getting the Cobra for really can't be beat. I think I could easily flip it for a Dragon if I had the urge to try one.

I don't really use any effects, so the loop isn't a problem, though I've always wanted to pick up a G-Major just for the added epicness it could add to my sound... but I've yet to take that plunge

 

[Les Zombie]

I wouldn't pay over the price for a new cobra but you can buy a used one for 1300 to 1500.
Last time I checked I think a new cobra was 2400.

The cobra has some of the nicest cleans of any high gainer, they stay clean and don't breakup. The uber cleans are ok but nothing special. Uber build quality is better.

 

[TeleBlaster]

Buddy of mine has one on the way. I remember liking the original Rev, but just not really my thing in the end. Maybe the Rev+ sounds better with those 6550s?

Oh man. The 6550 power section brings it to an instantly discernible higher level of aggressiveness.
The Plus series sound really really pissed off.

My favorite is the new nineteen80, less modern, more "classic" sounding preamp with two 6550's dialed up to 80 watts.
Classic rock tone but gets mean real fast as you turn up the volume and let those big bottles work.

The Plus models are four 6550 at 120 watts. Yeah, it's really freakin' loud.

 

[RedB4Black]

I like the boosted Uber alot more personally, but I accidently voted for the cobra. lol. Unboosted, I'm so into the Uber.

 

[DEWD]

I've had both at the same time and a/b'ed them. Uber sounds bigger and more rich to my ears but the Cobra is tighter and has a better clean channel.

 

[RedB4Black]

I've had both at the same time and a/b'ed them. Uber sounds bigger and more rich to my ears but the Cobra is tighter and has a better clean channel.

^you're right. I consider the Uber to be a one-channel amp. I never use the clean channel on it. Too bad they don't just make a single channel uber with no loop and price it at $1,800 or so. They'd make a mint.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Take the drive, 3 hrs is not that far to get the amp that's best for you.

If you really liked the Uberschall, why worry about what another amp might be?

 

[ericsabbath]

Too bad they don't just make a single channel uber with no loop and price it at $1,800 or so. They'd make a mint.

thing is that the uber is not exactly the Bogner signature tone
would make more sense to have a 1 channel Bogner voiced somewhere between the Fish Strato x Shiva x XTC Blue (a fat and gainy hot rodded Plexi, like the earliest Bogner mods)
a 50 watter with plexi headshell would be amazing